Willie McLean and the Civil War Surrender

I’ve been writing books for children for 38 years and have published 150 books in every category from picture books to biographies, middle grade novels to board books, easy readers to nonfiction. I have an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College, and an MA in children’s literature from Hollins University. I teach in Hollins University’s graduate program in children’s literature. I’m a ninth generation Virginian on both sides, and many of my books are set in my native state. My husband and I live in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with our two cats, Faulkner and Edison. I love cats but seem to wind up with the worst ones! Both of these rescues are food-obsessed, raiding the cupboards and trash cans, and even stealing bread from the toaster. I always have my current reading book and a notebook with me. I read everywhere, even in the movie theater!